MLS Futbolito 4v4 Tourney kicks off in Colorado on June 1

NEW YORK (Thursday, April 11, 2013) – ¡MLS Futbolito!™, the nation’s premier 4-v-4 tournament and one of the nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives, returns to eight major U.S. cities this summer. The national tour kicks off Saturday, June 1 in the greater Denver area, hosted by the Colorado Rapids.

As the official 4-v-4 tournament of Major League Soccer and one of the largest touring soccer events hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, MLS ¡Futbolito! is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing multicultural fan base. Nearly half a million payers of all ages have participated in MLS ¡Futbolito! since 2004.

Competition Format and Registration Information

The 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff.

Teams registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and competitive levels with winners in each division receiving prizes. In addition to participating, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match (in applicable markets), and the chance to win prizes from the sponsors. There will be $3,000 in cash prizes ($2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second place) for adult premier.

Teams can visit www.MLSFutbolito.com to register for competitions, obtain all rules and regulations, and schedule and locations. Additionally, interested participants with questions can call toll-free at +1-888-MLS-FUTBOLITO. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other participants. In addition to participation in the tournament, entry fees also cover tickets for the Rapids’ match against FC Dallas at 7 p.m. on June 1, the night of the event.

Some of the 2013 MLS ¡Futbolito! tour highlights:

Three MLS clubs will host MLS ¡Futbolito! on official League gamedays. Colorado Rapids (June 1), New England Revolution (July 6) and FC Dallas (July 13) will invite all participants to attend the club’s regular season match later that evening.

For 2013, MLSsoccer.com will offer a mobile-friendly site MLSFutbolito.com, which will allow participants and friends alike to follow live scores from the local events.

MLS ¡Futbolito! will continue to work with MLS WORKS, the League’s community outreach initiative, to support programs such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-centric initiative that provides resources to motivate, reward and encourage children to live a healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.